Olmert at Jpost Conference defends PA president

Former prime minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday defended Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for not accepting the peace deal that Olmert himself offered him during his tenure, but added that Israelis could do more to advance peace.

Speaking at the Jerusalem Post conference in New York, Olmert said that "the Palestinians didn't say no to my peace plan," adding that Israeli ministers advised the PA president not to accept the plan.

"First and foremost, the Palestinians are guilty," he said. "They should have answered my plan, and they should have answered Barak's plan."

"We are looking for excuses," Olmert said. "We should present [the Palestinians] with plans and let them respond."